Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

City government shifts direction: Cave Spring’s new city manager, Stephen Walker, started his job last week, bringing fresh leadership to City Hall after a period of uncertainty in the community -- read the full story.

Tracking a native fish comeback: USACE biologists are studying whether lake sturgeon are spawning naturally below Carters Lake, testing releases through two gates to create better habitat in the Coosawattee River without increasing total outflow -- learn how dam flows change.

Funding widens education access: GNTC Foundation awarded $48,350 in spring 2026 scholarships, helping local students with tuition. Awards ranged from $100 to $5,000, including Rome Home Builders support and an aviation memorial scholarship -- get all the details.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Breezy bar energy: When the weather plays nice, Dark Side of the Moon throws open its glass wall and becomes the laid-back hang you wish every bar was, with house-infused Moon cocktails, plenty of Georgia drafts, and a steady stream of live tunes that feel, well, very Rome.

Riverside reset spot: When the weather cooperates, Ridge Ferry Park is an easy win for low-stress hangs, with shady picnic tables for snack strategists, a solid playground for the wiggle monsters, and an outdoor stage that occasionally brings live tunes. Pack a blanket, let the river do its calming thing.

Refresh your space, Rome: From sofas and sectionals to dining sets, outdoor finds, and mattresses, Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet makes refreshing your home feel easy. Their team helps you mix comfort with style, so every room feels more you... practical, cozy, and pulled together without the fuss.

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

👴 Senior Inforum 2026 @ Thornton Gym | Wednesday (4/29) at 9:30 AM – Break out your best disco look and hustle to Thornton Rec for Senior Inforum, where 600 of our finest will swap tips, play games, and boogie for costume contest bragging rights. Free tickets at Parker Senior Center, free Chick-fil-A lunch, and plenty of local resources.

🚚 Georgia Baptist Children's Home Truck Loading @ Floyd County Baptist Association | Wednesday (4/29) at 10:00 AM – GBCH’s truck swings by FCBA for a two-hour loading sprint, so raid the pantry and the cleaning aisle. Bring individually wrapped snacks, paper goods, cleaners, gift cards, or an offering to FCBA. It is spring cleaning that helps kids, and makes you feel useful.

🌮 Spirit Night @ El Zarape Mexican Restaurant | Thursday (4/30) at 5:00 PM – Bring your appetite, your friends, and your questionable self-control to El Zarape for Spirit Night, where your taco order funds the Children's Museum of Rome. Finally, a night when ordering extra queso is civic duty, not a confession.

👔 Sew New Again: Upcycled Button-Up Shirt @ Stacy's Styles and Stitches | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Dust off that forgotten button-up and give it a makeover at Sew New Again's laid-back upcycling class with Donna Henderson. Bring your shirt, maybe a tee for sleeve flair, then add custom pockets and a comfy back gusset. Cheaper than retail therapy, far more satisfying.

🎭 Love/Sick @ DeSoto Theatre | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – If your idea of romance includes awkward honesty, missed signals, and a satisfied sigh on the drive home, hit Rome Little Theatre for Love/Sick, nine short plays about love's messes, laughs, and maybes. Smart, slightly twisted, 80 minutes, cheaper than therapy. Tickets at romelittletheatre.com.

🎤 Sing Along @ Rome-Floyd County Library | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Round up the kiddos or grandkids and head to the Rome-Floyd County Library for a sing-along with musician AJ Pierce. Think fun, folksy, feel-good tunes you actually won't mind humming later, plus the rare chance to clap offbeat in public, and call it quality time.

🌸 PBC Spring Jamboree '26 @ Parkview Baptist Church | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Spring weather calls for gospel tunes, chili one-upmanship, and catch-ups. At Parkview Baptist, expect PBC Praise Team, Tara Sams, Davenports, Melissa Hood, a chili cook-off and cake auction benefiting Children’s Ministry, plus a watch party for Melissa’s Alabama Gospel Roots episode. Bring a lawn chair.

This 1890 Victorian in Downtown Rome’s Between the Rivers district brims with rich woodwork, a coffered ceiling, original hardwoods, and fireplaces. A modernized kitchen opens to a breakfast area, while a mural-clad dining room stands out. Three floors are served by a private elevator. A 3-car garage with apartment, a stone courtyard, and a wraparound porch complete this storied property.